Container for tablets



Feb. 8, 1944.

J. KLOTZ CONTAINER FOR TABLETS Filed May 31, 1941.

fizz/anion- Patented Feb. 8, 1%44 FATE? OFFICE CGNTAINEE FGR TABLETS .ioseph Klota, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 31, 1%1, Serial No. 396,069

(Ci. Zea-e2) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to containers for tablets, pills, capsules, etc., and particularly to containers from which the contents can be removed without manipulating the entire covers of the containers. A distinct advantage of this type of container is that once it is filled and closed, the contents are kept clean since only a single tablet is exposed to the outside for immediate use with each opening of the container.

Many of the previous containers for tablets require that they be completely opened, with neces sary use of both hands and sometimes loss of some of the contents. Also, when the container is opened for withdrawing tablets, the remaining tablets'bunch or pile up making it impossible for the cover to be closed without first levelling the tablets, which entails further danger of losing the contents. In addition, it is known that the containers do not always remain closed, but often accidentally open, especially those in Which'the cover is opened by snap action. Others are designed so that the contents can be expelled or withdrawn without the containers being completely opened, but they fall short of the present invention in simplicity and effectiveness.

The containerof the present invention consists of a base or body, a cover, and means for segregating a single tablet within the container and positioning this single tablet below an opening in the cover for removal from the container. The base or body is filled with tablets, the cover is then secured to the base, and these parts need not be separated again, but the contents may be expelled through an opening in the cover.

As an alternative, it is'also contemplated that the container can be filled through the opening in the cover after the parts of the container have been assembled.

The segregating means is designed and positioned so that it can be operated with one handthe same hand that holds the container.

The segregating means forms a closure for the opening in the cover of the container, and normally the opening is closed, detents cooperating between the cover and the segregating means for retaining the latter in closed position.

The segregating means is provided with a pro- .iection'extending into the container forming a cup-shaped depression or well which is adapted to expose the tablets to the exterior of the container.

Other advantageous features of the invention are: the position of the tablet to be removed can be determined by visual inspection; the limits of movement of the segregating means are such that only one tablet can be Withdrawn at a time under normal operation; and the opening in the cover of the container is closed before the tablet is removed.

The container is composed of three simple parts, each capable of formation by simple stamping operation, and the parts are fitted together merely by forcing them into position, and are held in position by friction between the parts. There are no hinges between the parts, and no operations are necessary in assembling the parts except the simple operation of pressing them into position.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner of constructing and employing the container of my invention, reference may be had to the following detail specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container of my invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the container with the tablet segregating means in open position; i

Figure 3 is a plan view of the container with the tablet segregating means closed-and retaining a tablet in position to be removed;

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a modified form of tablet segregating means;

Figure HS 2. perspectiveview of another modifled form of tablet segregating means; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing a method of filling the container.

Referring now in detail" to the drawing, the container comprises a body portion it with upturned flanges H, a cover iiwith downturned flanges i3 cooperating with the flanges H. The body til and cover l2 form a closed container and are held in position by cooperating detents Iii and it formed in the flanges ii and [3, respec-- tively. The parts of the container can be taken apart, but are normally held in rigid, assembled relation.

The parts it and 2 of the container are of a light metal each of which can be formed by a simple stamping operation, or of a plastic or other suitable material.

The tablet segregating means forming an essential featureof the invention is in the form of a slide and is sho-wngenerally at ll. This slide is of a single pieceofmeta'lor plastic, preferably of the same material as the container itself, and is also formed. bya simple stamping operation. The slide l'i comprises a flat portion i8 and a well or depressed portion It}. The slide is inserted into a rectangular opening 2i inthe cover at one corner and along one side thereof. The well it as shown comprises side walls 22 and a rear wall 23. The side walls 22 are turned over on themselves forming resilient detents 2-3. The slide is inserted into the opening 2| merely by forcing the well portion I 9 thereof into the opening; the resilient detents 24 will flex inwardly sufiiciently to permit insertion into the opening and then spring outwardly and engage beneath the under surface of the cover [2, retaining the slide in place in the opening. The bottom of the well 19 in the embodiment shown here is left open, which adds to its simplicity and economy of manufacture.

Vertically disposed in the rear wall 23 and continuing along the flat portion I8 of the slide is an upwardly extending indentation 26 formed in the original stamping operation. This indentation is for the purpose of strengthening the slide and to allow for free movement of the slide during opening and closing, the indentation 25 forming a path for the indentation 28. At the rear end of the flat portion I8 is an upwardly extending indentation 21 stamped therein which cooperates with a similar indentation 2B stamped in the cover l2. When the slide is in closed position as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, the cooperating indentations 21 and 28 engage each other and hold the slide in that position until delib-- erate force is applied to open the device.

To operate the segregating means it is drawn back to open position, or that shown in Figure 2, when one tablet T will roll or slide into the corner of the container in front of the well IS. The slide is then forced to closed position again and the tablet T is thereby confined in the well [9 as shown in Figure 3. The width of the slide and well and the extent to which the slide can be drawn backare such that a space just sufficient to hold one tablet T remains in front of the well. The 1eading end of the well I9 is open, which enables the tablet to be isolated in the well when the slide is forced to closed position. The tablet T can then be takenout by turning the container over.

It will be seen that one tablet T can be isolated and removed without danger of losing any of the others. Also the position of the tablet to be removed can be determined by visual indication. The slide can be operated by one hand-the same hand in which the container is held. In the segregating operation the slide can be closed before the isolated tablet T is finally removed, preventing the escape of other tablets. The body and cover of the container can be separated if desired, although for normal use this is not necessary.

In Figures 6 and 7 I have shown modified forms of segregating means. The form shown in Figure 6 is similar to that shown in Figure 1, but the well 19 thereof is formed with a bottom 20 therein. Projections 25 are formed in the side walls 22 which engage under the bottom surface of the cover 12 for retaining the slide in the opening 2!. The slide can be snapped into or out of the opening 2|. In Figure 7 the well 3| is formed with side walls 32 and an inclined bottom wall 33, all formed integral with the slide as a whole. In both of the forms, Figures 6 and 7, the top surface of the slide is slotted or sheared at 34. The walls 32 are formed with portions 35 overlying and engaging the cover l2 and indentations 36 engaging the under surface of the cover, holding the slide in position in the opening. In all the embodiments the slide is formed by a simple stamping operation and can be inserted into the opening in the cover merely by snapping it in.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic showing of a method of filling the container with tablets. A chute 39 is provided with a flared foot 40 designed to cover the opening 2| in the cover of the container.

Tablets with double convex surfaces are well adapted to stack evenly in the chute, aligning themselves evenly without binding or jamming and slide from the chute in orderly fashion into the container. This is an alternative method of 10 filling which may be used instead of filling the open container before the parts are assembled.

While I have shown and described herein specific forms, it is to be understood that they are not limiting, but illustrative, and that various changes in details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A container for tablets, one enclosing wall of the container having an opening therein, and

a slide member secured in the opening and slidable therein for opening and closing the same, and a well on the slide member extending through the opening to the opposite wall, said well having a lateral opening for the entrance of a tablet within the container into the well, the movement of the slide member to closed position confining a tablet in the well, and said well having an upper opening in said closed position through which 3 said confined tablet can be removed from the container. y l

2. A container for tablets, one enclosing wall of the container having'an opening therein for the removal of tablets therethrough, and a slide member secured in said opening for opening and closing the same,said slide member having a well formed therein extending through'said opening to the opposite wall for segregating tablets from the interior of the container, the side walls of 40 said Well being turned on themselves forming spring detents for engaging the surface of said one enclosing Wall around said opening when said slide member is inserted into said opening for retaining said slide member in said opening, and said side walls of said well being flexible permitting the insertion of said well through said openmg.

3. A container for tablets, one enclosing wall of the container having an opening therein for the removal of tablets therethrough, and a slide member secured .in said opening for closing the same, said slide member having a Well formed therein extending through said opening to the opposite wall for segregating tablets from the interior of the container, the side walls of said well having means engaging said one enclosing wall around the edges of said opening for retaining said slide member in said opening, said Well having an inclined bottom surface for positively to ejecting tablets from the interior of the container. r 4. A container for tablets, one enclosing, wall of the container having an opening therein, and a slide member secured in said openingfor opening and closing the same, said slide member being retained within the confines of the container in open and closed positions, said slide member having means extending into the interior of the container and operable on sliding of said slide membar to closed position for positively ejecting the tablets from the container.

JOSEPH KLO' IZ. 

